First Reading: Gn 28:10-22a; Psalm: 91 R. v. 2b; Gospel: Mt 9:18-26

WHEN FAITH FAILS US

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

Some years back, I was at a hospital to see the doctor. Coincidentally I saw a teenage girl in her school uniform lying on a stretcher by the reception area. She was unconscious and was rushed to the hospital by her school headmistress who happened to be a catholic nun. From the medical report, the little girl was suffering from cerebral malaria. I quickly said some prayers for her with the permission of the nun. Few hours later, she died. Her parents couldn’t take the news and sent for their Church pastor believing that their daughter would be resuscitated by prayer. The pastor prayed as long as he could but unfortunately the girl was dead.

How can we reconcile this true life incident with the narrative of today’s gospel? Most definitely we do not have the yardstick to weigh the faith quotient of anyone; but the parents of this unfortunate girl at least showed some faith by inviting their Church pastor to revive their dead daughter. Was this not exactly what Jairus did in the gospel of today? Why was their case different? Sometimes we feel that things would work out for us exactly as reported in the Scriptures. Well, sometimes it does work out but definitely not all the time. But perhaps a meditative read of the narrative of today’s gospel may explain certain things. 

When Jairus pleaded with Jesus to come revive his daughter; Jesus accepted to do so. This was why Jesus got up immediately and followed him. While Jesus was on his way to Jairus’ house and the woman suffering from a haemorrhage touched his garment; it was also Jesus’ will to heal this woman which explains why he turned and said to her, “Take heart daughter; your faith has made you well.” Sometimes our faith is not enough to turn things around unless God wills it. Certain things may happen to us that our faith may not be enough to change them. This does not mean that we are faithless. It only means that there are certain things that prayer cannot change unless God permits them.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, we believe in you. May the challenges we face while we trust in you not dampen our faith and but increase our trust in your will. Amen.